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Aurora council amends immigration-enforcement ordinance language, remands item to committee for clarity
Summary
The Aurora City Council approved an amendment to an ordinance limiting use of city property for civil immigration enforcement but voted to send the item back to committee for further clarification of language and implementation details.
Aurora’s City Council adopted an amendment to an ordinance restricting the use of city-owned property for civil immigration enforcement activities on Nov. 4, 2025, then voted to remand the revised measure back to committee for additional refinement.
The amendment — developed with input from corporate counsel and the deputy police chief — made several textual changes, including the insertion of a clause referenced in subsection 403(b) and the deletion of the specific term “officer,” replacing it with broader language such as “official or agent.” Council members said the change was intended to preserve the ordinance’s intent while addressing operational concerns raised by the police department.
Alderman Seville introduced the item and the council debated the scope and the strength of the language. Supporters of the original, stronger wording, echoed during the meeting by public commenters, argued earlier that using the word “shall” signals city backing and protection for employees who document perceived unauthorized federal activity, whereas changing “shall” to “may” would leave workers uncertain and less protected. Ruben Morales, a member of the public, said the choice of words matters: “Shall means the city will back you. You will not be punished for reporting.”
During council discussion, Alderman Larson said he opposed the amendment as written because he feared it did not set adequate minimum standards and would not address a lack of trust in the Aurora Police Department. Corporate counsel and a deputy police official explained the practical steps the department would take under the revised language to ensure adherence to procedures.
The council voted on the amendment with the clerk recording 9 yes, 1 no, and 2 not voting; the amendment was adopted. After that vote, Alderman Garza moved to return the item to the council’s wrap committee to produce a clear final version and to allow the sponsoring aldermen to present the rationale at the committee meeting. The mayor confirmed the remand to committee.
Next steps: the ordinance will be reviewed in committee where drafters and council members will clarify final text and implementation details before it returns to the full council for a final vote.
Provenance: first relevant remarks introduced in the transcript at SEG 1186; last related action recorded at SEG 1503.
